How to Paint Sanded Plywood Shelves

by Dale Yalanovsky

Preperation is the key before painting sanded plywood.

Plywood shelves are made of wood veneers that have been glued together. Unless specified, plywood is meant for interior applications, and the strength and flexibility of plywood makes it an excellent choice for shelves. Painting plywood is much like painting other types of wood. However, preparation is the key to successfully making paint adhere to the surface of the wood. Sanding is a good first step, but more needs to be done before a topcoat of paint is applied.

1

Wipe the sanded shelves with a damp rag to remove all of the dust particles left over from sanding. Allow the shelves to dry thoroughly.

2

Brush on sanding sealer with a paintbrush. Sanding sealer will close the pores of the wood to make paint coverage more uniform. This is especially true on softwood veneer plywood such as pine and cedar. Allow the sanding sealer to dry completely.

3

Prime the shelves with a latex primer. Latex is easy to clean up with soap and water, and the primer will cover knot holes and tannin spots that have a tendency to bleed through paint. Put on two coats of primer for extra durability, and allow each coat to dry.

4

Paint the shelves with a semigloss or gloss topcoat. Gloss paints are more durable than flat paints and are easier to clean if they become dirty. They also resist abuse better and will show less wear as books are being pulled off the shelves or put back on them. Apply two coats of paint to make the finish extra durable.

Things You Will Need

Damp rag

Sanding sealer

Paintbrush

Latex primer

Finish coat

Tip

Lay down a drop cloth around the shelves before painting to contain any splatters.

About the Author

Dale Yalanovsky has been writing professionally since 1978. He has been published in "Woman's Day," "New Home Journal" and on many do-it-yourself websites. He specializes in do-it-yourself projects, household and auto maintenance and property management. Yalanovsky also writes a bimonthly column that provides home improvement advice.

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